Notes of a runemaster

Contemplative insights

The true master has conquered life to the degree that death is no longer feared.

The purpose of the practice of a #futhark of runes is to develop as a whole human being, complete within oneself. The runes #balance inner mind and outer expression. The rune master is whole and fully independent of external conditions. The strenght of the rune master is within him/herself by integrating system of thought that integrates all aspects of life into the inner world. Yet it is not an isolating practise it is a purposeful wholeness that allows the rune master to be counted as a force of transformation in the world. The rune master is an expression of wholeness into the world. Not being influenced by external factors yet always influencing to create #wholeness and healing in the community arround him. Man is either cancerous or salubrious in his community - a force that destroy or a force that edifies. The runemaster cultivates wholeness as a force of benignity. Wholeness is like a ripple that expands outward with an ever healing radiance. An influence that never dominates but ever inspire free will towards higher potential.

Hawk – Flight of fear

Short story

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@bmojsilo requested that I participate in his #Winnetou writing #contest where I have to write a short story that is a Western. I do not have much passion for Western but in the spirit of things, decided to play along. So this entry contains my story of how and Indian called Little Hawk's discovery the first European settlement in America who founded the colony of San Miguel de Gualdape, at what is present-day Georgetown, South Carolina. I do not know if this will measure up to the expectation but this is basically all I could come up with. I do not consider myself a good story teller...or writer but if one never tries one will never learn.

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Little hawk, the shaman of the tribe of Tsenacommacah,  could not dispel the image from his mind. A goddess appeared unlike any other he had seen during all his journeys in the spirit world.  She stood with golden hair floating in the wind and he eyes blue like he had not seen before.  His call to the ancestors for clarification and insight remained unanswered. For twenty years he led his people through the mysteries.  When they doubted he took led them to water and found the values where the hunt was plentiful. But now, haunted by this goddess of beauty,  he is without answers. The Great Spirit left the image in his mind, burning his inner eye. He could no longer lead his people. Driven.  The  smile of a Goddess clothed in a way he has never seen was slowly stealing his sanity. Nothing seemed to make sense. At first he threw himself into rituals…ate more of the mushrooms in a desperate hope to go further and deeper into the world of spirit to discover the who this strange apparition was that controlled his mind. When the Chieff of the tribe had a problem they consulted with him … he was the one with all the answers. He consulted the Spirit …but who will he consult if the Spirit does not answer?

At last he made a final choice. He requested from the king to leave on a quest for insight. The bones he threw indicated that he had to go to the great water at the end of the earth. There at the confluence of the three great rivers of the Pee dee, Wacamaw and Sampit  he will find his answer. He prepared well for the long journey. His horse was young but a trustworthy steed that would help him to make the long journey. The Chieff of the clan however cautioned him to take two extra horses with him….and so he did. Mountain Bear the most famous warrior of the clan was a child of adventure and requested to come with him.  He agreed and the two set off on the journey.  The journey spelled doom for the brave warrior.

Mountain Bear fought many battles but the journey was his last. When they crossed a mountain Mountain Bear’s horse slipped. The warrior fell down the cliff and was badly hurt. Little Hawk hoped to save his loyal friend but had to look how his friend slipped without ceremony from his hands into the spirit world.  He stayed a few days at the spot, chanting the songs of his father to help his friend depart fully into the spirit world. He left the body of this brave fighter but continued onwards knowing that his spirit will be with him throughout the journey.  He knew the warrior will not be fully released to continue to the next world until the journey is completed. The loss of a friend was a big price to pay for a journey inspired only by a vision. Maybe….maybe he was mad as some of the tribe members accused…..but he had to continue…he had to know what the vision meant..

Now finally he is close to the big bay… He erred. In his haste he fell into a world of fantasy and suddenly he found him surrounded by a strange tribe holding up sticks with threatening looks. He was a shaman…not a warrior…a man seeking peace before war. The group of men was very excited but also looked afraid…he looked at them as if they were ants but cooperated. With difficulty he followed there strange language.  He felt confident in himself for  he knew the power he had with the Spirits.  The only time his glare made him look more aggressive than peaceful was when one of the men tried to touch his head feathers. Never before did anybody dared to touch his head feathers.  All knew it was sacred.

They lead him to their dwelling place.  A strange camp…where they forced him to sit down beneath a tree. They took his horse and his spear….but fortunately not his medicine bag, hanging on his side. He dipped his hand in to get the mixture which helped him out of difficulty before. He was ready but wanted to see more.  They brought him to their leader who called himself  Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón. But he did not approach with respect but more like a man coming to inspect a wild horse. Little hawk looked into his eyes, firm without fear…and then he heard a voice…a voice different from anything he ever heard. Then he saw her…the goddess from his dreams but here among these men in human form.  He jumped up to stand before her ….but all went black….

He found himself before the Great SPIRIT and the spirit told him that it will be his burden to tell the clan that these people will destroy the fields and the beasts. The image of the goddess was to call him and drive him so that he can see these people himself. A great fear filled little Hawk and his body shook as images of a future, yet to happen, gripped him. He woke up underneath the tree with three guards, his hands tied. It was night and the moon was full. He felt her protection covering his body. He slipped his hand in his boot to extract a small hidden knife and cut the rope.  From his medicine bag he extracted the fire smoke roots ground into sand.

With a warrior shout he called to the spirits of the world to cloud his body. The fire smoke root burst into smoke and before the guards could react he disappeared into the darkness. Like a shadow he vanished. By the times shouts rang up in the camp he was gone with his horse. His lungs filled with fresh air as he felt the power of his horse moving beneath him. He felt the rush of victory…never before was an escape so sweet. Yet, there was a dark burden on his shoulders. He had to go and warn all the chiefs that a great, great tragedy is on the way.  The life they knew will one day change and be replaced by strange customs.  If only they would listen, they would prepare to face the danger. But he knows the great Spirit does not lie…the great spirit has made him a messenger of warning… Never again will he feel peace in his heart, for the images he had seen will drive him further and further to warn them that the time of destruction is near.

Xanga suggestions

Community development

@christao408 asked me what my #suggestions were to the #Xanga product council in my discussion with @bob during this week. This entry is a shortened summary of the key ideas I put forward. 

My suggestions was simple and I think would be easy to implement. Firstly in terms of context I consider myself a topical writer. I write about specific topics that interest me rather than about daily event and issues. You will find me writing about philosophy, mysticism and other esoteric topics. So my needs are driven from that perspective. From an information management perspective I am looking for ideas that can improve the #community element of Xanga but also something that allows me to much quicker get to information I am particularly interested in. I am sure these ideas will improve Xanga's #social_networking capabilities

Xanga's Product Council

Community building

I was so fortunate to participate in the #Xanga team's Product Council Members process. So I had the honor of an hour of discussion with Bob over skype. He asked several questions and looked into the Xanga mobi site. I also had the opportunity to share an idea or two. What a great initiative of Xanga's team to at least try and be part of the community. I do hope they take some of the ideas and feedback to improve Xanga as a whole. I certainly thought is was time well spend to talk a bit about where Xanga is and where it is going.

So I just want to say: Well done Xanga and thank you for the gesture and time you took to listen to me".

I am convinced if Xanga starts to really listen to its user community, it can only go from strength to strength. I am still planning on hanging around for a long time. In participating, I was able to share ideas I tried to get across for some time. It is not radical because Xanga has all the capabilities already to make execute on the ideas. Finally I had at least one ear...and irrespective what they do with the ideas...it left me with a good feeling, that somebody listened. 

Looking forward to see where Xanga moves from here.

Path to Mastery

Tagged - Seven random facts about me

I was #tagged by @Shining_Garnet to participate in sharing  seven random facts about myself. Tagging and sharing is what is making #Xanga a great online community. If anybody really reads my blog they know all that is important to me. I asked to share seven facts but I decided to use a systematics model called the pentad as base model and share less randomly. The pentad consists of five terms. 1) the world of sources  2) the factual world 3) your essential world 4) the world of values and 5) the world of your ideals, hope and dreams. The pentad is used in systematics to express potential so to complicate the scenario I wanted to look at what I have mastered in life....and put that into perspective. So although all 5 facts are known about me, this might help to create a fairly new picture of the Warrior-Wizard in totality.

1) Source - I am ... a Master in #Industrial_engineering. Everything I have been able to do in my life was due to my education. I gained my Masters degree in Industrial engineering in 1996. I put this as my source since this has defined much of my life, career and way of thinking. I might be employed in various positions but my professional approach would always be influenced by the systemic approach I was taught as an Industrial Engineer. Without my Industrial engineering and career I would not have the means to fund my quests of mastering other disciplines.

2) Fact - I am ... a #Runemaster. I became a Runemaster  in the Armanen tradition in 2010. I have interests in a wide variety of esoteric disciplines and/or systems like astrology, alchemy, Tarot, I-Ching etc. These were all born from my interest in system - a love that drew me to Industrial Engineering. As Runemaster I work with the runes on a daily basis doing stav for physical health, rune meditations for the mind and I use runes as tools to focus my will and I even sing galdr and rune songs. I put it on the point of fact because through the use of the runes I have a model for establishing a relationship between my inner and outer worlds.

3) Essence - I am ... a #Rosicrucian. The essense are the core of one's being....and my core is the divine eternal flame that burns within me. I started on the Rosicrucian mystical path in 2005 and found all the answers I need at this point of my life. It was a logical path following from a Christian background and being influenced by Gurdjieff's 4th way teachings.  Sure it is a unique view because it recognizes one's right to an individual experience of the divine. I have found the value in the practices of personal contemplation, frequent cosmic attunement, and service to humanity and made it foundational principles of my life.  

4) Values - I am ... a #Toastmaster. In 2009 I attained the certification as a Distinguished toastmaster from Toastmaster International. I place it in the values domain because this is where I serve and play my role in my community. My passion is to equip people with leadership and communication skills. People empowered to communicate and lead will make a contribution to the world. Toastmasters International has a wonderful set of values based on service leadership which I aspire to follow in my own life. 

5) Ideals - I will be  ... A doctor in Philosophy. I am not there yet and this is a key goal at this point in my life. I am doing my doctorate of philosophy in Industrial engineering. I have a dream of transforming the way Parliaments accross the world work. If my research is successful it will equip countries to improve their democratic processes through the use of technology.

TWO MORE?

6) I AM NOT rich....Never managed the art of letting money flow in mass in my direction. I survive almost always have just enough but seldom enough to do what I want to do...Maybe one day I will master the art of money.

7) I had a ragged doll since 1996 which a friend gave to me, who died. She had been sitting in my office since then. 

So there is my pentad of Mastery through which I am expanding my own sense of being in a constant pledge to live a meaningful life. I hope that was insightful. 

I would like to tag the following people to join me in making Xanga a wonderful community by sharing seven random facts about themselves on Xanga:

@RestlessButterfly, @GoodGuyTheBoss, @dirtbubble, @PatentMagician, @tychecat, @TheSutraDude  and @Oceanstar

I would have love to tag some people but who are already tagged: @The_Eyes_Of_A_Painter, @C_L_O_G , @songoftheheart ,and @AdamsWomanFell 

I wish these people are around then I would have loved to tag them: @everyday_yogi and @baldmike2004

Stepping in the fire

Armanen Futhork Entry 7: Hagal

"The seventh I know, when a hall is ablaze. Fires burning high above all the people. No matter how it burns I save them all. The magic I know."

#Hagal is a strange #rune. In traditional futhark's it is associated with destruction and restoration. Linked with the destructive power of the hail stone but which later melts and become nurturing water for the earth. In the #Armanen #futhork which follows the rune song of Odin for its interpretation the rune Hagal is associated with the destructive power of fire. Here the warrior is reminded of his/her responsibility to take care of other people. The runemaster can not be self-centered but must equip him/herself to be at service to the community when it faces the destructive power of disorder. The runemaster never gets caught up in the chaos with an impulsive fear but rather seek a solution to overcome the danger - not just for him/herself - but always seeking a way out for all the people. The rune Hagalaz firmly puts the runemaster within the center of his/her existence, knowing that the point of order and balance is dependent on his/her inner state rather than the outer conditions. There is almost an arrogance in this song, a faith in self to overcome. The attitude of the #runemaster is indeed one of certainty in the skills that have been mastered and the unique perspective that is gained on the world. The runemaster detach from fear in order to be of service.

Fires are burning in our lives on a continued basis all around us. It might be an economic melt down or the threat of global warming, but irrespective taking up the runes teaches the runemaster to look beyond these dangers and focus on finding solutions. The runemaster project an attitude of being strong within, in order to bring strength to others. The true magic of the rune Hagal in the context of the Armanen Futhork is to step into the fire without fear. One recall to mind the infamous walking over coals that so many people do to proof for themselves the power of mind over matter. By walking over burning coals they proof to themselves that they can overcome their fears. The runemaster knows that fear is real but sees #fear as a stepping stone for service rather than as a threat.

In the Armanen futhark Hagal is the ALL rune....it captivates all the runes and it manifest the underlying unity of all the runes. Hagal stretches out into all directions and pull the energy from the whole universe towards itself. When we face our fears or we are faced with destruction survival demand not fear but that we open up to all the possibilities and opportunities...so that we can take the right action to survive destruction. By becoming calm within, time slows down for the runemaster to be aware of all possible actions he/she can take to find the path that might most likely lead to survival. A central theme of the Armanen tradition is to take responsibility. Hagal again affirms that it is not a self serving approach to survival but one where the individual seek survival for all those in danger. In modern day terms it is Hagal that push the runemaster to step out in support of the poor or needy without getting caught up in the emotional excitement of activities. The troubles of life is a reality that must be dealt with but often fear and doubt are paralysing us to act with confidence.

Hagal inspires the runemaster to be prepared to face dangers with clarity of mind by suspending fear and doubt and replace it with the confidence that comes by centering yourself. Centering in the eternal aspect of self, the observer that is ever present, centering in the divine principle of being present.

The rune position for Hagal in the Younger futhark stav posture.

Entry 6: Ka of the Armanen Futhork series can be seen here: Neutralising offence

A glimpse of #transcendence

#Mysticism

Today I felt a blanket of peace covering me. Something unique happened last night during my meditation. Indescribable peace came over me as I saw myself from a different perspective. I connected to the male in me...the warrior. What a profound inner experience to feel rooted and yet expanding your mind throughout the universe. I thought it will just be a passing sensation but it was a feeling that accompanied me throughout my day. I perceived a new sense of balance where my whole being is in harmony. Everything was in perfect alignment... the transmutation of #Saturn energy from a static lethargic latency to an active deep pulsing beat.

I experienced the efficacy of Saturn's influence to shield against negativity.  I felt what it was like when shielded in a cocoon where opposites can meet so that anima and animus can meet and be joined through the power of #EH. When you open up and experience the yang, then you have to be open to the yin. When opposites meet there is a new energy a new power and new excitement. I know my terminology is not well understood. But what I experienced can not be described without the use of esoteric symbols. The esoteric tradition gives the power to express experiences that transcends understanding and logic..it moves beyond the realms of normal consciousness. Besides ordinary consciousness, the sub conscious, the collective conscious there is another consciousness which is an awareness of the divine, the eternal, the spiritual that is neither of the other forms of consciousness...what will one call it. Maybe it is just a soul #consciousness. A deep knowing of what is real, yet outside of physical experience.

The universe within the consciousness colliding with the universe of possibility and potential ...of what might be. Soul consciousness is an awareness of balance and harmony, that pervades all, even into the material world. I saw a glimpse of the soul consciousness penetrating into the material world and it illuminated the material world like a light illuminates the darkness. Soul consciousness is the absence of fear and chaos a space of being aware of all and where all is linked as ONE.  

Stav, staff and Tai Chi

Martial arts

I had my second #Tai-Chi lesson today. Comparing #Stav and Tai Chi is interesting. The fundamental difference based on my little experience is that Tai Chi focus much more on power in the legs than Stav. My legs were jelly after the first session but less so today. The class master was friendly on me as a beginner. The classes started a while ago so I was literally thrown into the deep end. Tai Chi is definitely more complex movements and my left and right hands were often confused...but my stav training helped met to establish my focus and I was soon able to follow some of the movements. Tai Chi flow with energy while stav channel energy. Stav works more on the stomach muscles than Tai Chi. Although Tai Chi movements has got names, the sequence of moves sometimes have no apparent meaning and looks confusingly haphazard to my Western Mind. Stav is based on the runes with a fixed sequence. Both gives one opportunity to find balance and focus the mind. In that regard there are many similarities. I think combining the two disciplines gives one both a sense of structure and flow respectively, stav off course providing the sense of structure channeling energy while Tai Chi gives the flow of energy.

I bought myself a staff to practice Stav the day before my birthday. That is a whole different discipline. I practiced with the staff over the week-end and boy did I discover stomach muscles, that I never new I had. The staff is excellent for hand and eye coordination. Love the feeling of whirling the staff at a faster and faster pace. The staff is an add on. My main discipline will remain  stav but it is great to be able to augment it with some new techniques and movements.

Know your options

5 Principles of Stav

I practice Stav, an Nordic inspired form of martial arts. I am no expert and no interest in martial arts. My attraction is based on the health benefits I experience daily from performing the 16 rune postures defined in #Stav.Each rune has its own meaning. However what brought me to Xanga today is not the 16 runes but rather the 5 principles of stav. These five principles was developed from the poetic edda....with the creation of classes. According to this tradition the five principles are called: Trel, Karl, Herse, Jarl and Konge. I have made these 5 principles a focus point of my contemplation looking at ways to better understand them. Each principle reflects an approach to life. They are not hierarchical with the one being more important than the other. According to tradition a path is found through a Shamanic type of journey. Being the Warrior-Wizard the path is never one but all for me. I also found it interesting that it was rather easy to relate the 5 principles to the four elements of ancient Greece and the quintessence.

Trel is the slave and relates well to the sign of water. In terms of the Martial arts Trel has nothing to defend except his/her own life and therefore will avoid an attack rather than fight back. Like water Trel adapts to the situation with minimum resistance, yet as we know water can in its own right be a very destructive force. If fight or flight is the options then Trel will be the flee option. Like water finding the path of least resistance. In the words of Lao Tsu's art of war you will know when you are outnumbered and the possibility of victory is slim. In this circumstances it is best to just allow the world to happen and seek the easiest way out. This might still enslave you in that you do take away the situation, you are dealing with it. But it might allow you to live another day to fight the next day. To be Trel one must be nimble, humble and very awake.

Karl is the freeman, usually a person who owns property and relates well to the sign of earth. In terms of Martial arts Karl stands his ground and defend by effective blocking of the enemy. We are all faced at a point where we can not just avoid an attack because what we are defending is of enough value to defend. In terms of Lao Tsu's art of war these are situations where are outnumbered only marginally and the battle can be won by being equipped with good strategies. Earth resist directly, when you push a structure that structure pushes back with equal force. We might well face such a situation if we are in our house when somebody breaks into the house with criminal intent. There is an interesting paradox where the slave is free to flee but the freeman is compelled to stand his ground. By blocking of defending effectively Karl hopes that the enemy will get discouraged and find an easier target rather than pursuing the defended area. To become Karl one must have ownership, knowledge and strength. 

Herse is the Warrior. Somebody equipped to fight. Herse has a responsibility more than just him/herself and his/her property. Herse also protects the life of others. Herse needs the self control to look for the enemy weak points and exploit those weak points for his/her advantage. Herse is offensive in nature and strikes with a counter attack. The offensive nature of Herse correlates well with the fire element. Herse acts from a position of authority, that can be either have been earned through mastery of a skill or by being given authority from a bigger power. A police officer can for example simply show his/her badge and immediately has a different kind of authority that is more than them as individuals. When somebody has mastered an skill of fighting then often that is enough to persuade an enemy to back down from their intent. In Lao Tsu's terminology Herse is ensuring you have the numbers to overpower the enemy, To become Herse one needs discipline, self-control and mastery.

Jarl is the priest or wizard, and usually has responsibility for the people's survival and/or values. Jarl is a way of peace and the main aim is to simply disarm the enemy and neutralise the thread. This type of approach correlates well with the element of air. A force unseen yet very effective. Jarl will bring reason to the battle to show that there is no need for a fight or will simply change the focus point of the battle so that the enemy fought a battle that can not lead to any victory. The focus here is simply to use the environment against the enemy so that the enemy can not move as fast or can not attack without compromising them. Jarl might even use deceit so that the enemy attack a dummy allowing Jarl to escape the scene. Unlike Trel, Yarl however does not just avoid the battle but also act to neutralise the enemy. To become Jarl one needs to study, observe, be flexible and aware.

Konge is the king, the master and relates to the quintessence when the four elements combine. Konge is skilled in all four strategies and knows when to use which strategy to best effect of the community as whole. Konge will avoid the attack of the enemy like Jarl, disarm the enemy and then attack the enemy like Herse. The enemy is overpowered by Konge in every category. Konge is unpredictable, flexible and act according to the situation but also are quick to use the situation to his/her advantage. Konge is the small task force that can go beyond enemy lines and create havoc by being felt but not seen in enemy ranks. To become Konge takes time and patience but ultimately it leads to no need to be attached for Konge walks with total freedom and everything at his/her feet.

So here is the basic ways of approaching problems based on the 5 principles:

1. Trel - Avoid follow the path of least resistance like water
2. Karl - Defend your ground stand firm like the earth
3. Herse - Attack and obliterate, unstoppable like fire.
4. Jarl - Neutralize by being as light and quick as the wind.
5. Konge - Combine and become a master yet unpredictable in action and let the spirit be free.

 This clearly shows that the Warrior-Wizard will acquaint himself with bot Herse and Jarl to become Herse-Jarl...maybe on the way to the mastery of Konge. 

I am not perfect

Life 

I am not perfect. I make mistakes. I try to make a difference. Sometimes my contribution is small and at other times it is small. I dream, dreams bigger than what I can achieve. Often people are disappointed by me despite my best efforts. At times I am disliked for my opinions and ideas or just because my personality is flawed. My Xanga seldom shows this side of me...the weak side...the side that struggles and the side that feels at times inadequate. Life even when we want to live it to the fullest is not always easy. We do not always get what we want and sometimes the meaning of our lives can be questioned. Few people make it into the History books and a few become the super rich. For most of us we just try to survive in a world where we have to guard against crime or fight against interest rates and inflation. We live at best hoping for a better tomorrow. We sang the praises of small achievements....the significance only being in our imagination. We experience relationship's that end up in battles...a sense of rejection and hatred. Life seems limited unable and we feel cut from the abundance and opportunity. We feel hurt when people do not appreciate us...these are not things unique to me. Most people, the majority will feel like that.

Our life might seem the fairy tail for another and yet we will see yet another as our ideal. We attached to relationships, property and yearn to be admired by somebody else. We feel bad when we fail as if we invented failure for the first time. That is the problem of being the center of the world we loose so easily perspective of the big picture and get caught up in our own little mindset, our own truth, our own pain and ignorance. We are blind for the big picture while we are so captivated by our own central awareness. Our eyes are closed for the suffering of others and totally aware of our own even if it is far less than that of others. It hurts to say "no" to your children because you do not have enough. Our self-image plunges into depths when we act against our own values and sacrifice our own beliefs for a taste, just a taste of carnal pleasure. We covet, we are lazy, we live the seven deadly sins... We stone others for the same sins we indulge in our life. Is the world against you? Do you feel you live a life of misery?

Get over it. It is life! Life is not a party. Life is a struggle. Without that struggle there would be no growth. As we say in Afrikaans: "Build a bridge and get over your troubles". Crying about misery will not take pain and hurt away. Life on earth is a miracle. There is thousands of reasons why life could have been annihilated from the face of earth and left earth as a barren desert like all the other planets in our solar system. Yet despite all odds, life persist. Life always seems to find a way to continue.  Species have died when they are no longer of importance but life has persisted on this small volatile planet called earth. Moving from sea to land was no easy process. Life might had instances of pure bliss but that is the exception. For most humans it is a struggle. We can not live life without embracing that struggle as part of life.  

I am not perfect....but I live. I am not perfect but I continue the struggle. I am not perfect but will ever make it my ideal.